TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 65
Inside the dark office.
Histania Rowen was lost in thought, running his hand through his deepening musings.
“How annoying….”
Both Hanna’s defiance.
And that insolent red-haired brat.
No one affirmed that his choices were right.
While Rowen, who had raised the Three Siblings, never once doubted his parenting methods.
This time, however, Rowen found himself unusually burdened with complex thoughts.
“Ha…”
Sitting at his office desk, Rowen poured alcohol into an empty glass and let out a deep sigh.
His thoughts grew heavier.
He wondered if, as someone who had only ever pursued the sword, he was inadequate as a Father.
He thought he had done his best, in his own way.
But every time the wounded face of his Youngest Daughter came to mind, Rowen couldn’t help but think his parenting approach was wrong.
He felt frustrated with Hanna, who refused to follow the efforts he had made to guide her toward a better path.
If only she would give up the sword, he could do anything for her.
If she wanted to start a business, he would provide funding.
If she wanted to enter politics, he would offer his connections.
If she wanted to pursue romance, he could introduce her to the Empire’s most handsome man. But Hanna only had eyes for the sword.
Rowen posed a question to himself.
‘Am I truly a good Father?’
Malik, who had succeeded as a swordsman.
The Second Sibling, who had held the top of the class for three consecutive years with outstanding talent.
Judging by these two, he thought he lacked nothing as a successful Father.
But Hanna…
She had achieved everything on her own.
Until she went to the Academy, Hanna’s talent seemed insignificant compared to Malik and the Second Sibling.
Even if he went back in time, he would still tell Hanna to give up the sword.
Hanna’s swordsmanship was stagnant.
No matter how much painstaking effort she put in, the level she could reach was only that of a third-rate adventurer.
Rowen believed it was something a parent couldn’t do—to ask Hanna, whose only talent was her strong willpower, to pursue an unachievable career.
Because that’s what his Father had done for him.
His Father, who had made it possible for him to stand in the position of the Sword of the Empire.
Rowen thought his Father, who had raised the Sword of the Empire through cold-blooded education, would have said the same thing to Hanna.
To raise him.
His Father had used harsh words and displayed favoritism.
Rowen had hated his Father, who had treated him so harshly, but as he grew up, seeing his brothers succeed in various fields and reflecting on his own life, he realized his Father had not been wrong.
Knowing the unnecessary efforts of the brothers who had grown up under a Father who knew only the sword, Rowen couldn’t help but treat Hanna coldly.
Because true happiness comes from certain success, not mediocre success.
For Malik’s success.
For the honor of Histania.
At the same time, Rowen believed he had been stern with Hanna out of a desire for her to quickly find her own path.
After all, he was someone who had thought it natural when his Father excommunicated his younger brother, who had no talent for the sword, despite being called a proud older brother and receiving hidden snacks as a concession.
Rowen thought he had made no mistake in his decision to tell Hanna to give up the sword in the past.
He had grown up that way.
And learned that way from his Father.
Of course, he didn’t think highly of his devotee Father.
Because he was a brute who neglected his family and only ever chanted “Sword. Sword.”
Rowen had thought, from the moment he inherited the position of Head of the Family, that he would never become a Father like his own. But when he actually became a Father, he found himself walking the same path.
Though he had softened compared to his Father, who excommunicated those without talent without hesitation, upon closer inspection, his education wasn’t all that different from his Father’s.
“I hated it so much back then, yet I’m doing the exact same thing.”
I’m a crazy bastard, too.
Unlike his Father, Rowen thought he had raised his children with a semblance of affection.
Unlike his Father, who cut off all support for those without talent, Rowen had offered his children alternative paths.
Learning finance to become a secretary.
Studying diplomacy to become a diplomat.
Delving into politics to attain a high position.
Even if he hadn’t said it warmly, Rowen didn’t think he had made any wrong decisions as a Father.
Because guiding children toward the right path of success is the role and hope of a parent.
Only, the process had been a bit harsh.
-Father, I’m going to become an amazing swordsman just like you! I’ll punish bad people and spread Histania’s name across the world.
-Give it up. You have no talent. You’ll only tarnish Histania’s name.
-B-but. If I work hard…!
-Effort cannot surpass talent. Those who succeed through effort are just mediocre people at the top.
-…But.
-Don’t crawl at the bottom; become the best in another field. Don’t disgrace Histania’s name.
Rowen didn’t think he was wrong.
He had grown up rigidly.
His life proved it.
If someone wanted to criticize him, it should be someone with achievements and a position equal to his.
A philosopher with nothing to show but outstanding conviction only appeared reckless in his eyes.
But.
-Father…
After witnessing the Death of Hanna.
A crack began to form in Rowen’s heart.
Holding Hanna’s cold, lifeless body and seeing his speechless face, Rowen felt an indescribable depth of regret.
He had thought the Emotion of Regret was useless….
For the first time, the Emotion of Regret struck him with terrifying intensity.
-Bang…!
Rowen roughly placed the liquor glass on the desk.
The liquor glass shattered in his hand.
Rowen, whose Swordmaster physique remained unscathed, calmly cleaned up the broken shards with a handkerchief.
“Hanna’s Adolescence is too long of a problem… I should’ve scolded her more.”
Even now, Rowen wanted Hanna to give up the sword.
No matter how youngest she was to awaken Aura.
Because Rowen thought Hanna would attempt Dangerous Challenges.
Now, he couldn’t find fault with Hanna’s talent. Hanna had proven him wrong for failing to see it and was illuminating Histania’s name throughout the Empire.
But.
-Please save me…
The hallucination of that moment kept flashing in his mind, strengthening his determination to make Hanna give up the sword.
Various thoughts crossed his mind.
After experiencing the hallucination.
He felt an anxious urge to stop Hanna from taking on such reckless challenges again, along with an altruistic hope to cheer for his Daughter’s Growth as a Father.
Whichever way he thought about it.
The fear from witnessing the Death of Hanna led him to the conclusion that Hanna must give up the sword.
Because that was the path for Hanna.
And the way to ensure Hanna’s safety.
Whether it was a hallucination or a nightmare.
He just needed to make sure it didn’t happen again.
He just needed to push forward with his own stubbornness.
Hanna was bound to keep running with youthful vigor.
For rapid growth, she would rush toward danger, and Rowen was certain she would reenact the Nightmare he had already witnessed.
Thus, Rowen resolved himself even more harshly.
Because Rowen loved Hanna.
Though she appeared to lack and fall short in many areas compared to the other children, he wasn’t a heartless Parent who thought it was fine if she died.
Sitting at his Desk, lost in contemplation, Rowen gave an awkward nod.
“Yes, it’s all for Hanna. She’ll understand when the time comes.”
Just as he had realized when he became an adult.
Rowen believed Hanna would realize it too, once she became an adult.
Given the recent unsettling events at the Academy, perhaps now was the Opportunity.
Instead of constantly worrying, it might just be better to…
As he was compromising with himself for a moment.
-Screech.
A man with a strikingly handsome face opened the door of the Office and walked in.
The Man, with brown Hair like Rowen’s, was Hanna’s Older Brother and Rowen’s son, Malik.
Rowen furrowed his brow and said.
“Who taught you such manners, entering without knocking… I wouldn’t have taught you that way.”
Malik, who had entered through the door, gave an awkward smile and said.
“I’m sorry. I did knock… I didn’t realize you couldn’t hear it.”
Rowen admitted his mistake.
“I must not have heard it because I was focused on work. My apologies.”
“It’s fine. I’ll be more mindful moving forward.”
Malik’s face was stiff.
He felt uneasy visiting his Father.
And he wasn’t accustomed to being alone with him.
Rowen, knowing this, said nothing further.
Malik let out a Deep Sigh and held up a Liquor Bottle in his hand.
“Father, I brought some fine liquor. Could I borrow a bit of your Time?”
It was a familiar liquor.
Golden brandy.
A finely crafted Glass Jar.
The label of the Liquor Bottle, often mentioned among Nobles, bore the name of a well-known Restaurant. He remembered it for its unique name, “Friends of Forest.”
Rowen was secretly pleased with his son’s Gift.
Malik pulled up a Chair and naturally sat down in front of Rowen.